1Now many have undertaken to organize an account of the events fulfilled among us,

2just as they were handed down to us from the start by the eyewitnesses and reporters of the word.

3Therefore it seemed best to me also, because I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, to write for you an orderly record, most excellent Theophilus,

4so you may know for sure the truth of the words you have been taught.

Prophecy of Birth to the Barren

5In the days of Herod, King of Judah, there was a kohen named Zechariah from the priestly division of Abijah. Elizabeth, his wife, was from the daughters of Aaron.

6Together they were righteous before Adonai, walking without fault in all His commandments and instructions.

7But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren and both of them were elderly.

8Now it happened to be Zechariah’s time to serve as kohen before Adonai in the order of his division.

9According to the custom of the priestly office, it became his lot to enter the Holy Place of Adonai to burn incense.

10And the whole crowd of people was praying outside at the hour of incense burning.

11An angel of Adonai appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

12Zechariah was in turmoil when he saw the angel, and fear fell upon him.

13But the angel said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to your son, and you will name him John.

14And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

15He will be great before Adonai; and he should not drink wine and intoxicating beverage, but he will be filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh just out of his mother’s womb.

16Many of Bnei-Yisrael will turn to Adonai their God.

17And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to the children and the disobedient ones to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready for Adonai a prepared people.

18Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? I’m an old man, and my wife is well-advanced in age.”

19And speaking to him, the angel declared, “I am Gabriel, the one standing in God’s presence. I was commissioned to tell you and proclaim to you this good news.

20So look, you will be silent and powerless to speak until the day these things happen, since you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their time.”

21The people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering about his long delay in the Holy Place.

22But when he came out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the Holy Place. He was making signs to them but remained mute.

23When the days of his priestly service had been completed, he went home.

24After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and hid herself for five months, saying,

25“Adonai has done this for me! In these days He looked upon me, to take away my disgrace among the people.”

Prophecy of Birth to the Virgin

26Then in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by Adonai into a town in the Galilee named Natzeret

27and to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Miriam.